New party wants to make all politicians redundant

The founder of the "Vote for Yourself" Party, established in Northern Ireland last May, is planning to put the party forward …

The founder of the "Vote for Yourself" Party, established in Northern Ireland last May, is planning to put the party forward for the general election in the Republic next year.

"Rainbow" George Weiss, the self-described wandering Jew and apprentice prophet, is hoping to attract all the non-voters to serve a notice of redundancy to all politicians.

"We see ourselves as a movement who speak on behalf of those sensible enough not to vote. In that sense we count the numbers who abstain from voting as votes for our party," said Rainbow George, who made history when he stood for election in all four Belfast constituencies last June.

He claims the only way for power to be returned to the people is through the abolition of political parties. "There is a great number of people who are bitterly disappointed with party politics and the party political system, which is why I believe what we are offering is timely."

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The party, which wants all cities to become independent and self-governing, put 11 independents forward for election in Dublin in 1997, three of whom received the lowest number of votes ever recorded.

"In 1997 we didn't meet the criteria to stand as a party so I put out an appeal for 11 singers and musicians to come together as a band and stand on the platform of Dublin becoming an independent city. People with imagination and who wish to see things change and believe they can change voted for us," Rainbow George said.

While the party's manifesto is far from implemented, one of its aims is soon to be made a reality in Ireland. Rainbow George has been calling for the introduction of electronic voting since he first ran for election in 1984 in England. The first phase of this is now set to be introduced in Ireland for the next elections.

Another aim of the party is for each city to establish a cashless society, as Rainbow George believes that most crime would stop if coins and notes were taken out of circulation.

Describing himself as a Jewish mystic, the party founder believes the spark for change will come from a city on this island and cause a domino effect throughout the world.

"At the moment we are calling for a referendum on whether Belfast can become an independent city on behalf of the 418 people who voted for me and the 81,000 odd people who didn't vote for anyone at all."